John William Nolte, Secretary, Treasurer and General Manager of the American Brewing Company at Pekin, since 1901, and one of the most experienced and progressive of the city’s native sons, was born March 19, 1867. His parents were Justus and Rosanna (Davis) Nolte, natives, respectively, of Germany and New York.

For a number of years Mr. Nolte’s fortunes were cast on his father’s farm in Tazewell County, and he received a practical education in the lower and high schools of Pekin, his first independent venture being as an employe of the Pekin Plow Company when he was fifteen years old. Three years later he assumed a clerkship in a clothing store for six months, and then became identified with a steam laundry, learning every detail of the business. In 1890 he removed to Lincoln, Ill., where he opened a laundry on his own responsibility, conducting the same with gratifying success until disposing of it in April. 1891. At that time he returned to Pekin and bought the Pekin Steam Laundry, which he sold in 1899.

In November, 1901, Mr. Nolte and his brother-in-law, Carl G. Herget, bought the property of the American Brewing Company of Pekin, when he assumed his present position as Secretary, Treasurer and General Manager of the concern. The brewery profits by certain advantages arising fom want of competition and excellence of the products manufactured, and, as the only establishment of the kind in Pekin, has a trade extending over a large area of surrounding country. Under the new management the business has increased to double its previous extent, with every prospect of commending itself still more favorably to the purchasing public.

Mr. Nolte is eminently social in his tendencies, and is a member of the Tazewell Club and the Knights of Pythias, besides the Dramatic Order of Knights of Korassan, Royal Circle and the Court of Honor. In politics, he is a Republican. On August 18, 1891, he married Mrs. Emma (Herget) Smith, widow of Conrad H. Smith, his wife being born January 7, 1857. By this union one child was born— John Elbert. October 3. 1892. By her first marriage Mrs. Nolte had two daughters: Minnie, the wife of William E. Van Ausdal, and Emma E.

Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Tazewell County - page 1053